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Watermelon benefits: Nutrition and History of watermelon

Watermelon


Watermelon is a tropical fruit containing 93% water and phytochemicals, which are found to be beneficial to human health. It is also a good source of multivitamins like B,C, and E and multiminerals like phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, and iron.
Watermelon benefits
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Botanically, the fruit belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, in the genus: Citrullus, and is related to the other same family members such as cantaloupe, squash, and pumpkin that run as vines on the soil. It is widely grown in many tropical countries where it is one of the major commercial fruit crops.
Watermelon was originated from southern African countries, and from where it spread to rest of the tropical and subtropical regions. After a couple of weeks of seedling, the plant bears many yellow flowers that may require honeybees for pollination.

Watermelon Nutrition:


Here is the nutrition breakdown for a one-cup serving of diced watermelon:

✓Calories: 46
✓Fat: 0g
✓Sodium: 2 mg
✓Carbohydrates: 11g
✓Fiber: 0.6g
✓Sugar: 9.5g
✓Added Sugars: 0g
✓Protein: 1g
✓Calcium: 1% DV

Due to its high water content, watermelon is low in both calories and carbohydrates. Although the low carbohydrate count means watermelon provides less fiber per serving than most other fruits, it still has a wealth of health benefits.
Watermelon provides a variety of vitamins and minerals that are vital for your body-think vitamin A for vision health and vitamin C for healthy skin. Aside from these great health benefits, consider these other reasons why watermelon is so great for your health!

Health benefits of watermelon:


1.Fight Disease

The juicy fruit contains the antioxidant lycopene, which is usually associated with tomatoes, however, one study, published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology, found that watermelon actually contains more of the antioxidant than a tomato. Filling up on watermelon—and lycopene—protects against inflammation and cell damage, which are known to lead to a higher risk of health problems including heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

2.Good for skin.

Watermelon is known for bringing back lost moisture in your skin. If your skin is dry and dull, watermelon has all the answers. The antioxidants and high water content of watermelon will boost the moisture in your skin, making your skin glow. Dab a cotton ball in watermelon juice and apply it on your face and allow it to sit for 10 minutes, before rinsing it off with water. Do this once in every 5 days for healthy, soft and plump skin. You can also include watermelon in your diet for best results.

3.Kidney Function:

Have you heard that watermelon helps kidney function? Many kidney organizations and foundations have recommended watermelon as a healthy recipe for those with kidney disease. Watermelon contains Lycopene which is a fat-soluble antioxidant. This is the key ingredient benefiting kidney function.

4.Anticancer Properties 

Recently, watermelons have gained a lot of interest. Imparticular, dieticians and researchers are further studying its impressive level of lycopene. Lycopene has shown to reduce risks of prostate, lung, colon and endometrial cancer. Watermelons phytonutrients (beta carotene and lycopene) may help in boosting the immune system, protect against oxidation and inflammation and will inhibit cancer cell growth with watermelons generous vitamin C levels. Therefore, this is a fantastic food to add to your cancer prevention diet.

5.It’s anti-aging.

Fine lines, wrinkles, signs of aging—they happen to us all. And while we’re all about embracing them, one watermelon benefit we love is its ability to help keep our skin smooth, plump, and preserve our youthful glow. “Not only is watermelon rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it’s also rich in anti-aging agents such as lycopene, which helps delay skin’s aging process,” says Yen. Lycopene is an antioxidant that gives bright red summer fruits like watermelon their pretty tint (it’s also found in tomatoes). It helps repair damaged skin cells, regenerate new ones, fight free radicals, and slow the breakdown of collagen to improve firmness and elasticity.

6.Improves sex life

Watermelon can also improve your sex drive. The amino acid citrulline improves the blood flow to reproductive organs, thereby helping you deal with erectile dysfunction. Also, arginine, an amino acid, exerts Viagra-like effect which boosts nitric acid production and relaxes blood vessels. So don t forget to include watermelon in your diet to reap its sexual benefits.

Source of knowledge

*https://www.eatingwell.com/article/292029/5-amazing-health-benefits-of-watermelon/
*https://familyhealthadvocacy.com/benefits-of-watermelon-could-it-be-the-new-miracle-fruit/amp/
*https://www.ipsy.com/blog/watermelon-benefits-for-skin
*https://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-of-watermelon-juice-seeds-peel-and-how-to-use-it-b0316-381646/amp/
*https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/watermelon.html

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